Carrying the Great Ends into Advent

The great ends of the church are the proclamation of the gospel for the salvation of humankind; the shelter, nurture, and spiritual fellowship of the children of God; the maintenance of divine worship; the preservation of the truth; the promotion of social righteousness; and the exhibition of the Kingdom of Heaven to the world.

During this autumn season, we have looked at the Great Ends of the Church as published in the constitution of the Presbyterian Church (USA). As we move into the 2008 Advent Season, let us consider how these purposes of the denomination encourage us to live in the ebb and flow of our lives today. Let us review.

Perhaps there is no better time for our voices to be heard than during the Holiday Season. But our voices are often drowned by the voices of commercialism, fantasy and “busyness”. Take time this season to share the good news of what Jesus means to you. Tell someone why your life is better because you have a relationship with Him. What better way to mark the holiday than to help lead someone to a saving faith in Jesus Christ!

In our rush to be everywhere and do everything, let us take a moment to be with our church family and experience the shelter, nurture, and spiritual fellowship of the family of God. This might be just what the doctor ordered: a moment of respite in a frenetic world. Take a moment, breathe and experience the spiritual fellowship.

Everywhere we go, we hear Christmas carols. They are played through the store speakers to help loosen our purse strings. But how often do we take time to reflect on the words of these powerful hymns and praise songs. During the holiday season, come to church and truly worship God. Worship the baby in the manger. Worship the man on the hillside. Worship the redeemer on the cross. Worship the Lord, raised from the dead. O come, let us adore Him.

There are many stories surrounding the winter holiday season. In our world of tolerance, we can sometimes “fudge” on the truth of the gospel. We do not want to offend anyone. We don’t want to push our belief onto anyone. But let us continue to preserve the truth. Jesus and Santa Claus are not equals. Let us speak boldly of the nativity story, not as one of many stories surrounding the season, but as THE story of the season.

And let us not forget those in need during this season. As our country faces an economic crisis, let us remember those who are less fortunate than us. In particular let us remember those who have little power, those who are oppressed, those who are exploited. Perhaps this is the year that we are unable to send money, but we can give of our time, energy and talents to the less fortunate. Let us promote social righteousness during this season.

Finally, let us exhibit the Kingdom of Heaven to the world. As the angels proclaimed the good news to the shepherds so many years ago, the glory of heaven was manifest: Glory to God in the highest! May everything that we do, everything that we say, every gift that we give, exhibit the Kingdom of Heaven to a world in need. In His infinite wisdom, God chose you and me to exhibit the Kingdom to the world. God chose the imperfect things of the world to confound the proud. I feel unworthy, as you probably do, but God came as a baby 2,000 years ago. Now He comes as imperfect people called the Church.

Let us carry out the Great Ends of the Church this Christmas Season. Let us do so as individuals. Let us do so as a congregation. Therein lays our Christmas Joy.

And may God Bless us. Every one.

In His Love & Service,

Lance